The Crimson Tide, which also is ranked fifth in the USA Today coaches' poll that was released earlier this month, is one of three Southeastern Conference teams ranked in the top 10 (five in the top 13).

By a record margin, defending national champion Florida is ranked first in the AP poll with 58 first-place votes and 1,498 points. Texas (1,424 points, two first-place votes) is second, followed by Oklahoma (1,370 points) and Southern Cal (1,313). Alabama received 1,156 points.